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Chapter 29
After finishing all preparations, there was only about an hour left until the party.
Even though she had completed all the preparations, the nervous Fleur quickly scanned everything, checking every last detail one more time.
“Miss Valen, are you nervous?”
A familiar voice came from behind, and she turned around.
Colin had entered the mansion, now a familiar sight, dressed in his fully adorned attire.
His black formal wear clung sharply to his figure, and his hair, usually kept calmly down, was now styled up, revealing a neat forehead. His usually tidy look was slightly more ornate today, yet it suited him perfectly.
“Mr. Colin, you’re here?”
Even though they relied on each other quite a lot as business partners, facing him still made Fleur feel a bit tense—but that tension slightly eased.
“It’s an important day, so I came early.”
“I saw everything yesterday, but take another look. If there’s anything unprepared, we need to fix it immediately.”
“I’ve already checked. Everything is perfect, except for one thing.”
“What is it?”
Fleur asked, ready to correct it immediately.
“You.”
“…Me?”
“If the host of the party acts awkwardly, the guests will feel even more uncomfortable. So you need to act as naturally as possible.”
Fleur gave a slight, exasperated frown at Colin’s advice.
“My heart is pounding… how am I supposed to do that?”
“There’s one way.”
“What is it?”
Even though everyone could probably hear their conversation, he leaned closer and whispered so only she could hear.
“Think of everyone else as completely naked except for yourself.”
“…Excuse me?”
She gave him a look that clearly said, what kind of nonsense is this?
True to his slightly risqué style, he even brought up nudity in this situation.
“Since the Valen family is of baronial rank, the people invited are all from families higher than yours.”
“That’s true…”
“The moment you think of them as superior, your body and mind stiffen. But if you imagine them like me—as ordinary people—thinking of them as nude works best. You can even imagine their wigs removed, their heads bare—it helps.”
Just thinking about it briefly made her giggle, and then her smile grew wider.
“Sounds like personal experience, doesn’t it?”
“That’s right. I’m telling you because you’re my first business partner.”
“Haha, thanks! That actually makes me feel a lot more at ease.”
Fleur smiled softly, and he returned the smile.
“You’ve put a lot of effort in too, Miss Valen.”
“Since I’m the host, I had to prepare a lot. The maids specially altered this dress—what do you think? Does it look too obvious?”
She slowly turned in a circle to show her appearance. Colin observed her with an almost expressionless face.
Even after she finished, his face remained indifferent, and she wondered if she had bothered asking.
Congratulations!
Colin’s affection level increased without a quest.
Current affection: 3% → 5%
She blinked in surprise at the sudden increase.
“You look beautiful.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Regardless of who comes today, you’ll stand out the most.”
Ah, so that’s what he meant.
Fleur misinterpreted it at first, thinking it was a compliment he had never given before.
“I’d be glad if others notice me properly.”
“Shall we prepare to welcome the guests together?”
Colin extended his arm as if to link arms, but she didn’t reach out immediately.
“What are you doing?”
He gestured with his eyes toward his arm.
“Do we really need to link arms?”
“All co-hosts greet the guests like this.”
“That’s for married or engaged couples. We’re business partners; we don’t need to do the same.”
“So you’ll just stand there like a statue?”
Colin asked, a little disappointed. Fleur, as if waiting for this, quickly blew the whistle around her neck.
“Did you call, Miss Fleur?”
Within ten seconds, Dylan appeared, almost like a large dog responding to its owner’s call.
“…Looks like the two of you are on good terms again.”
“Of course. He’s my assistant. Right, Dylan?”
“Yes, Miss Fleur.”
Unlike before, when he barely made eye contact, Dylan now completely stood behind her, guarding her.
Seeing this, Colin raised one eyebrow.
“Too bad. I wanted them to completely fall out.”
“Excuse me? Mr. Colin, did you want to take Dylan away like that?”
“I was curious to see what would happen if they were separated.”
He said this, eyeing Dylan standing protectively behind her. Fleur was about to respond but raised her arms first, gesturing to protect Dylan.
“No way. If you have impure intentions, you can’t have my assistant.”
Both men’s eyes widened slightly as they focused on her.
“…If your intentions are honest, shall I hand him over?”
“First, I’ll ask Dylan. No matter how much he’s my assistant, I promised I’d never allow anything against his will.”
“Hmm, I see. I understand he’s your precious assistant, but today, I’m your partner.”
Colin took her hand that was extended and pulled it down.
“So focus on me.”
“Oh, right. I have something for you. Dylan, what I asked for?”
“Here it is.”
He took a small velvet case from his inner pocket and handed it to Fleur.
“I specially made this for today.”
“A ring? You said you didn’t plan on doing something like this for me, yet you prepared all this alone…”
Without waiting, she opened the case.
Inside were two brooches, each depicting a white bird holding a flower, neatly placed side by side.
“This will show we’re business partners.”
“With brooches?”
“Nobles pay attention to every accessory when dressing up. Everyone will notice we’re wearing the same brooches. This will signal that we’re partners.”
Nobles often acted politely while secretly judging each other. Wearing the same brooch would be easily noticeable.
Colin looked at the brooch and asked, realizing Fleur’s intention.
“Only the two of us?”
“Yes. Only Mr. Colin and I are partners.”
“And your assistant won’t wear one?”
“Of course not. Only two.”
Finally satisfied, he tapped the collar of his jacket with a pleased smile.
“You do it.”
“…Me?”
“I’ve never done something like this with my own hands.”
A nobleman would rarely decorate himself, so she was about to attach it for him when Dylan stepped forward, holding the case she was holding. Colin gave him a questioning look.
“Miss Fleur never decorates herself; she always has other maids do it.”
“She can at least handle a simple accessory herself.”
“No. She’s too clumsy. I’ll do it myself.”
Since Fleur had previously broken several earrings trying to put them on herself, she didn’t stop him. Dylan picked up the brooch carefully and approached him.
“Here, I’ll do it.”
Not wanting Dylan to touch it, Colin held out his hand. Dylan placed it on his palm, and Colin quickly attached the brooch.
“Wow, you’re good at this.”
“A gentleman should be.”
“Then why did you ask me for help?”
“It’s good to encourage each other. I was going to help you…”
Before he could finish, Dylan had already fastened the brooch to her collar.
“It’s almost time for the guests. You two should take your positions to greet them.”
“Time already… Then we’ll see each other later.”
“Of course, partner.”
As the host, Fleur greeted the guests at the mansion entrance, while Colin waited at the party venue in the field.
With Dylan, who had the guest list, she approached the entrance, where the servants were already welcoming the guests.
“Welcome! Thank you for accepting our invitation.”
She smiled warmly and greeted them, but the middle-aged couple murmured under their breath without properly acknowledging her.
“How much must one love partying to throw a party so soon after their parents passed…”
“They were always shy at social gatherings, and now they’ve completely changed since becoming alone…”
Though speaking to each other, it was clearly meant for her to hear.
The servants nearby were cautious, worried about offending her, but Fleur remained calm.
She had anticipated this reaction perfectly.
“I still feel pain thinking of my parents, but I know they wouldn’t want me crying inside, so I prepared this party. I hope you fully enjoy what I’ve prepared today.”
“Hmph, if you truly cared for your parents, getting married would have been better…”
“So, you shouldn’t have broken off the engagement…”
“Fleur!”
Suddenly, someone wrapped their arms around her waist.
The couple in front, the people getting off the carriage, and everyone entering the mansion froze in surprise.
The culprit paid no attention to their stares and buried his face in Fleur’s shoulder.
It was Aidan.
